Jack And The Beanstalk @ Municipal Hall, Colne

12:49pm Friday 11th January 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

FROM my point of view, January is usually the quietest month on the family calendar.

After the mad rush of Christmas, and a living room that looks as if it's the store cupboard at Argos, there's not a lot of inclination, or the funds, to do very much at all.

The Muni has different ideas, and it's here that I found myself, plus my two children and their grandmother, one Saturday afternoon.

This year's pantomime - Jack and the Beanstalk - is written, directed by and stars George Critchley. He is excellent as Silly Billy and a firm favourite with the children.

I do think there's something for everyone in pantomime and, with its mix of old-style music hall songs, alongside the more modern hits from contemporary musicals (the score also includes songs from the Rocky Horror Show, Grease and Dirty Dancing), Jack and the Beanstalk is no exception.

Andrew Stone, who plays Jack, is not someone I had heard of (apparently he's from Living TV's Dirty Dancing Show), but he was well received by the audience and, as you would expect, he's a nimble-footed kind of fellow.

The narrator, Fairy Tinkle My Bell (Debbie Saloman) has a fantastic voice which reminded me of a screen idol of yesteryear - look out for her as Judy Garland in Get Happy! touring the UK during 2008. She is brilliant next to Fleshcreep (James Lavender) who, as his name suggests, is reassuringly scary and attracts the necessary boos that a panto villain can command. However, he does lighten up towards the end.

Jack and the Beanstalk is a lavishly-costumed and wonderfully colourful show and one of our favourite scenes was the chaos of the 12 days of Christmas with, among other things, wellyboots, spotty pants and a three cup bra. It made for quite exhausting viewing!

This pantomime is not for the faint-hearted as it's practically three hours long, allowing for the 15 minute break, and those with very young children - my youngest is two - might find it's a bit on the long side. But for a family afternoon (or evening) out it's great value for money.

Colne Muni is a lovely theatre, not too small to feel crammed but just big enough for everyone to be able to see the stage, even from the back.

Will I be back next year? Oh yes I will.

• Jack and the Beanstalk is at Colne Muni until Sunday, January 20. Details from the box office on 01282 661234.